Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Plimmerton rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Plimmerton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.